Junk is a print publication.

Filipino Boy

A photo series by Edric Chen

May 2016

Over time, I have found this series to say a lot about me and the country I live in.

People have often asked me why I choose to photograph kids and my answer is that it feels natural, I usually carry a small handheld camera for fear of being held up in urban areas of the country, armed with light skin and a shy demeanor, kids seem to be drawn to me.

I am Filipino but my ethnicity is Hokkien Chinese, I am a fourth-generation immigrant, I have been in enough varied situations to know that I will never be looked upon as an equal or be considered as a true Filipino by the locals.

Growing up, I personally did not differentiate myself from a normal Filipino boy even though the adults around me told me otherwise, I watched western shows and Anime dubbed in Filipino, watched local TV and listened to local music. Now that I’m older, I understand why I am different and am also grateful that my parents did not wipe away the Chinese in me.

I am out on the streets to explore my environment and mostly to find a connection with a culture I am not entirely part of.